Winter Scenes of Japan: Hasui Kawase's Snowy Woodblock Prints

November 7, 2024

Japanese artist Hasui Kawase is the creator of numerous prints of snow-covered landscapes and temples. During the last year of his life, when he was already ill and weakened, the master succeeded in completing what the Japanese call his zeppitsu, his ultimate work. This is the print entitled 'Hiraizumi Konjikido' (Konjiki Hall at Hiraizumi).

Throughout his prolific career, Hasui would incorporate snow into his work, making it a leitmotif.

Osaka Tennoji (Tennoji Temple in Osaka) :

Shitennō-ji

(Japanese: 四天王寺)

Also the Temple of the Four Heavenly Kings, is a Buddhist temple in Ōsaka that is often regarded as Japan's first officially administered temple.

Originally founded by Prince Shōtoku, a strong advocate of Buddhism in the 6th century, the temple aimed to promote Buddhism across Japan when the religion was still new.

Though the complex has been reconstructed multiple times, with the latest rebuild completed in 1963, it continues to symbolize the early spread of Buddhism in Japan.

Shiba Zojoji (Zojoji Temple, Shiba) :

Located in Tokyo, Zōjō-ji is the main temple of the Jōdo-shū Chinzei sect in the Kantō region. It has a historical connection to the Tokugawa clan, with six Tokugawa shōguns buried in its Taitoku-in Mausoleum. Its main gate, Sangedatsumon, dating back to 1622, is Tokyo's oldest wooden structure. Most of the temple’s original structures were destroyed in fires, natural disasters, and WWII air raids.

Hirosaki Saishoin (Saishoin Temple, Hirosaki) :

Ikegami Honmonji (Honmon-ji Temple) :

This Nichiren Shū temple, south of Tokyo, is where the influential Buddhist priest Nichiren passed away. Nichiren’s teachings laid the foundation for Nichiren Buddhism, a branch of Mahayana Buddhism.

Shiba koen no yuki (Snow at Shiba Park) :

Kobe Nagata jinja Yakumobashi (Yakumo Bridge at Nagata Shrine in Kobe) :

Situated in Nagata-ku, Kobe, this Shinto shrine enshrines Kotoshironushi-no-Okami. Legend says Empress Jingū founded it, along with Hirota Shrine, at the beginning of the 3rd century under the guidance of Amaterasu. The shrine marked its 1,800th anniversary in 2001.

The Hamlet of Hataori in Shiobara :

A small village in Tochigi Prefecture, Hataori is depicted in Hasui Kawase's snow scenes. Hasui, who spent part of his childhood here, later sought refuge in the hamlet during WWII. Despite the blizzard-obscured view, his artwork captures a warm glow from village interiors, reflecting his romantic early style.

Snow at Mukojima :

Evening snow at Edogawa River :

Edo River (Edogawa) is a river that flows on the east border of Tokyo (Edo)

Nezu-gongen no yuki (Snow at Nezu-Gongen Shrine) :

One of Tokyo's oldest shrines, Nezu Shrine was established in 1705 in the Bunkyō ward. Built in the Ishi-no-ma-zukuri style, similar to Nikkō's Tōshō-gū, it houses several Important Cultural Properties and preserves historical Shinto architecture.

Shinkawabata at Handa, Owari Province :

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